Kumon's approach to learning

Central to the Kumon Method is the belief that all children are capable of greatness. With the help of their parents, family and friends, children can develop in ways that will amaze you. Kumon's founder, Toru Kumon, believed every child has the potential to learn far beyond his or her parents' expectations.

Toru Kumon said:

"It's our job as educators not to stuff knowledge into children as if they were merely empty boxes, but to encourage each child to want to learn, to enjoy learning and be capable of studying whatever he or she may need to or wish to in the future."

Children who learn through the Kumon Method not only acquire more knowledge, but also the ability to learn on their own.

Building confidence from the start

Students begin at a comfortable starting point – determined by an assessment. To ensure that students experience success from the beginning, the starting point is typically set lower than the child's current level in school. This helps students get accustomed to completing the daily assignments and developing momentum and confidence to advance to more challenging work ahead.

Advancing step by step

Kumon uses a "learn-by-doing" approach. Worksheets assigned by the Instructor provide an example illustrating a concept to be learned. Then a simple exercise modelled after the example is given. Each new assignment is slightly more challenging than the last. The progression is so gradual that students are able to acquire the skills needed to advance independently.

Speed + accuracy = mastery

Before a Kumon student advances from one assignment to the next, the material must be completed with a near perfect score within a suggested time. All work is marked and timed, and the results are recorded so that the Instructor can determine when a child has total command of the materials and is ready to move on to more difficult concepts.

Practice makes perfect

An assignment that takes too long or is completed with too many errors demonstrates a lack of comprehension and needs to be repeated. Brief periods of daily practice help ensure optimal comprehension and retention of concepts as well as establishing the strongest possible foundation to be able to study more advanced material. Students complete the Kumon assignments every day, with bi-weekly visits to their local Kumon
study centre.

Realising each child's potential

The Kumon Method allows a child to advance steadily at a comfortable pace determined by the child's ability. The Instructor creates an individualised programme that is never compromised by the needs of a group. The first priority of the Kumon Instructor is to enable each and every child to perform and progress to his or her full potential.